Gov. Phil Murphy said he admires the “courage, bravery and leadership” Katie Brennan showed Tuesday during her hours-long testimony about her allegations that she had been raped by a campaign official who went on to get a top job in the administration.

Brennan told lawmakers leading a special legislative committee she went to the Wall Street Journal with her claim after her “pleas” to the administration to do something “went unanswered."

“I had access to the highest positions of power, and at each turn my pleas went unanswered," Brennan said at the Statehouse in Trenton. “Somehow it wasn’t a priority to address my sexual assault … until it impacted them.”

Murphy, in his statement, said people should “stand with survivors of sexual assault, and we must start from a place of believing the accuser.”

“I watched Ms. Brennan’s opening statement today, and I commend the courage, bravery, and leadership she showed in telling her story," the Democratic governor added. “She is right: no one should have to go through an ordeal to have their voices heard.”

The Wall Street Journal published Brennan’s claims in October. She accused an official in the Murphy administration, Albert J. Alvarez, of having raped her in April 2017 while he worked for the campaign. Alvarez, who has not been charged with a crime, has denied it through his attorney.

Brennan told lawmakers she repeatedly informed Murphy officials -- both before and after Murphy took office in January -- about the incident.

Alvarez resigned his job as chief of staff of the Schools Development Authority in October after the Wall Street Journal made inquiries. He had previously been appointed deputy director of personnel during Murphy’s transition prior to his role at the Schools Development Authority.

Murphy, meanwhile, touted how he called for an inquiry into how the decision was made to hire Alvarez and how he tasked the state attorney general’s office to review how to make the state’s “criminal justice system the most victim-centered in the country.”

“I am committed to working with Attorney General Grewal and the whole of state government to ensure that New Jersey is a place where justice is the right of every person, and every person is treated with dignity and respect while seeking it,” Murphy said.